Book reviews
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BOOK REVIEWS Guidelnes for Health Manpower Planning. P. Hornby, D. K. Ray, P. J. Shipp. 1980. Geneva. World Health Organisation. This is a handbook for a course of twelve halfday sessions with an emphasis on group work. The maximum number of participants is twenty and should be drawn from the different discip- lines who are involved in Health Manpower Plan- ning. Each session is divided: into three sections, review of material for that session, group exer- cises arising out of the material, reporting and discussion of the group work in a plenary session. The material for each session follows the same format. It is recommended that an actual man- power planning exercise be conducted using the course format. Finally, there should be an evalu- ation of the course and that improvements and amendments be made as required. This is an extremely detailed and comprehen- sive course. All the various elements of Man- power Planning are introduced, in a logical pro- gression. Flexibility to allow for national and local differences is stressed. It is difficult to isolate individ,ual points in so concentrated a document. I am glad, however, to note an emphasis on the economic and financial aspects of manpower planning and a recognition that what is desirable must be tempered by what is achievable in terms of available resources. Many different bodies and institutions are cur- rently concerned with various aspects of man- power planning. The= principle benefit of this handbook is the manner in which it brings to- gether the different aspects in a unified whole. I would be very happy to participate in a course organised in this way, NIALL TIERNEY. Renal Pathophysiology. 2nd Edition. Alexandra Leaf, Aamzi S. Cotran. Oxford Uuniversity Pre~s. Price s The understanding of renal physiology and its application to general nephrology has always proved difficult for the medical student and doctor alike. This second edition has bridged that gap. The first edition of renal pathophysiology was highly acclaimed for its clarity and conciseness, and this present edition maintains the same qualities. There are a total of 14 chapters, the first six chapters discuss the renal circulation and= regu- lation of electrolytes and acid base metabolism. This broad and, complex subject is reviewed in just 136 pages, bringing the reader entirely up to date on current advances in renal circulatory haemodynamics, and the control of sodium and water excretion. The authors having the ability to explain the problems with, a minimum of effort and, simplicity. In the latter half of this textbook the: chapters in acute and chronic rena~ failure and on all aspects of glomerular and interstitial disease of the kidney are excellent. For too long glomerulo-nephritis has been a confused subject for most students and clinicians, From the clinical history and pre- sentation these present chapters are written so that the student or resident at the bedside can visualise a histological and immunological pic- ture with understanding. This textbook can be highly recommended to all students, residents and clinicians who are interested in renal disease and in the care of the acutely sick patients, and finally to those individ- uals who feel renal pathophysiology is beyond them. J. B. KEOGH. Caring for the Mentally III in the Community by C. A. Butterworth and D. Skidmore. 1981. London. Croom Helm Ltd. Price: Hardback s Paperback s This book sets out to offer some guide lines to all those involved with the therapy of the mentally ill outside the hospital setting. The authors do not concern themselves with structure or organ- ization of community psychiatric services but rather with the approach and technique of the 'therapist'--be it the doctor, nurse, social worker oF volunteer. It is an attempt to develop a philosophy appro- priate to the core given in the community. The authors feel that "the real value of com- munity care should be that it encourages an individual approach, allows the client to become involved in his own therapy . . . and also allows the family to stay together." The book is in two sections: the first is en- titled, Psychiatric Illness in the Community, Chap- ter II of which is a useful analysis of the, differ- ences in hospital and community care; the second section entitled TreatMent Practice deals with practical guidelines on assessment and treatment. I thought that this section was particularly helpful. This is a valuable and stimulating little book for those even marginally involved in community psychiatry. I have only one criticism, I think the authors could have simplified their style and tried harder to avoid jargon. J. HORGAN. 356
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BOOK REVIEWS
Guidelnes for Health Manpower Planning. P. Hornby, D. K. Ray, P. J. Shipp. 1980. Geneva. World Health Organisation.
This is a handbook for a course of twelve halfday sessions with an emphasis on group work.
The maximum number of participants is twenty and should be drawn from the different discip- lines who are involved in Health Manpower Plan- ning.
Each session is divided: into three sections, review of material for that session, group exer- cises arising out of the material, reporting and discussion of the group work in a plenary session.
The material for each session follows the same format. It is recommended that an actual man- power planning exercise be conducted using the course format. Finally, there should be an evalu- ation of the course and that improvements and amendments be made as required.
This is an extremely detailed and comprehen- sive course. All the various elements of Man- power Planning are introduced, in a logical pro- gression. Flexibility to al low for national and local differences is stressed. It is difficult to isolate individ,ual points in so concentrated a document.
I am glad, however, to note an emphasis on the economic and financial aspects of manpower planning and a recognition that what is desirable must be tempered by what is achievable in terms of available resources.
Many different bodies and institutions are cur- rently concerned with various aspects of man- power planning. The= principle benefit of this handbook is the manner in which it brings to- gether the different aspects in a unified whole.
I would be very happy to participate in a course organised in this way,
NIALL TIERNEY.
Renal Pathophysiology. 2nd Edition. Alexandra Leaf, Aamzi S. Cotran. Oxford Uuniversity Pre~s.
Price s
The understanding of renal physiology and its application to general nephrology has always proved difficult for the medical student and doctor alike. This second edition has bridged that gap. The first edition of renal pathophysiology was highly acclaimed for its clarity and conciseness, and this present edition maintains the same qualities.
There are a total of 14 chapters, the first six chapters discuss the renal circulation and= regu- lation of electrolytes and acid base metabolism. This broad and, complex subject is reviewed in just 136 pages, bringing the reader entirely up to
date on current advances in renal circulatory haemodynamics, and the control of sodium and water excretion. The authors having the ability to explain the problems with, a minimum of effort and, simplicity.
In the latter half of this textbook the: chapters in acute and chronic rena~ failure and on all aspects of glomerular and interstitial disease of the kidney are excellent. For too long glomerulo-nephritis has been a confused subject for most students and clinicians, From the clinical history and pre- sentation these present chapters are written so that the student or resident at the bedside can visualise a histological and immunological pic- ture with understanding.
This textbook can be highly recommended to all students, residents and clinicians who are interested in renal disease and in the care of the acutely sick patients, and finally to those individ- uals who feel renal pathophysiology is beyond them.
J. B. KEOGH.
Caring for the Mentally III in the Community by C. A. Butterworth and D. Skidmore. 1981. London. Croom Helm Ltd. Price: Hardback s Paperback s
This book sets out to offer some guide lines to all those involved with the therapy of the mentally ill outside the hospital setting. The authors do not concern themselves with structure or organ- ization of community psychiatric services but rather with the approach and technique of the ' therapist ' - -be it the doctor, nurse, social worker oF volunteer.
It is an attempt to develop a philosophy appro- priate to the core given in the community.
The authors feel that "the real value of com- munity care should be that it encourages an individual approach, allows the client to become involved in his own therapy . . . and also allows the family to stay together."
The book is in two sections: the first is en- titled, Psychiatric Illness in the Community, Chap- ter II of which is a useful analysis of the, differ- ences in hospital and community care; the second section entitled TreatMent Practice deals with practical guidelines on assessment and treatment.
I thought that this section was particularly helpful.
This is a valuable and stimulating little book for those even marginally involved in community psychiatry. I have only one criticism, I think the authors could have simplified their style and tried harder to avoid jargon.
J. HORGAN.
356
